Research & Development Manager - Consumer Technical Insights & Product Claims

Unilever; Tingley; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consumer goods company based in Leeds is seeking a Research & Development Manager. The role focuses on consumer technical insights and product claims for top brands in personal care. Candidates should have experience in beauty categories and the ability to harness consumer insights for product innovation. This full-time position offers a chance to work on impactful campaigns and utilize consumer testing to enhance product claims.

Qualifications

• Experience in Beauty & Personal Care categories, with knowledge of consumer fundamentals.
• Understanding of sensory, clinical, and consumer research including claims substantiation.
• Consumer-first mindset with a history of integrating insights into strategies.

Responsibilities

• Deliver consumer insight & testing needs for innovation projects.
• Lead consumer testing programs ensuring product performance surpasses competitors.
• Manage the technical claims program to maximize product storytelling.

Skills

Experience in Beauty & Personal Care categories

Understanding of sensory, clinical, and consumer research

Consumer-first mindset

Creative thinker

Ability to build strong partnerships

Job description

Research & Development Manager - Consumer Technical Insights & Product Claims

Apply at Leeds Office. Full-time, posted 3 days ago. End date: August 12, 2025 (10 days left to apply). Job ID: R-97357

Job Title:

Research & Development Manager - Consumer Technical Insights & Product Claims

Location:

Leeds, UK

Background

The Deodorants category is a key part of Unilever's Personal Care Business Group, with Power Brands like Rexona/Sure, Dove, and Axe, which drive growth. This role is the key Consumer Technical Insights (CTI) & Claims partner for the R&D Head of Rexona Innovation & Antiperspirant Technology Platform.

The role involves leading consumer research claims support for Rexona/Sure, maximizing technology through compelling claims and activations, supported by technical, human panel, clinical, or consumer testing. It also involves bringing new insights to support innovation and future technology development for Rexona.

Main Responsibilities

• Deliver consumer insight & testing needs for Rexona/Sure innovation projects, including designing insight plans and validating consumer-perceivable differences in new technologies.
• Lead consumer testing programs in key markets, ensuring product performance surpasses competitors, following best practices.
• Manage the technical claims program, using various tools to maximize product storytelling, including digital demonstrations and videos.
• Support claims substantiation and defense strategies with robust technical and consumer evidence, aligned with business partners.
• Guide competitor challenge activities, providing R&D insights on claims challenges.
• Lead consumer insights to inform R&D programs and strategic initiatives, especially around 'growth spaces' and Sweat consumer insights.
• Collaborate with CTI Capability & Clinicals team to develop protocols for validating antiperspirant technologies.
• Participate in Claims & CTI Community of Practice to promote best practices and share learnings, while developing team skills.

Skills and Experience

• Experience in Beauty & Personal Care categories, with knowledge of consumer fundamentals.
• Understanding of sensory, clinical, and consumer research (quantitative & qualitative) and claims substantiation requirements in FMCG.
• Consumer-first mindset with a history of integrating insights into brand and innovation strategies.
• Creative thinker capable of generating ideas from insights and identifying opportunities for superior claims.
• Ability to build strong partnerships internally (marketing, legal) and externally (agencies).